Can body making machine



Aug. 3, 1965 E. LAXO CAN BODY MAKING MACHINE Filed June 22. 1960 IN VENTOR.

ED LAXO ATTORNEY Aug. 3, 1965 E. LAXO 3,197,999

CAN BODY MAKING MACHINE Filed June 22. 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

E D L A XO ATTORNEY Aug. 3, 1965 E. LAXO cm BODY MAKING momma 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 22. 1960 FIE-21 1N VENTOR.

ED LAXO ATTORNEY Aug. 3, E. L

CAN BODY MAKING MACHINE Filed June 22, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 mum INVENTOR.

E D L A X 0 gym/$2 ATTORN EY United States Patent 3,197,999 CAN BODY MAKING MACHINE Ed Laxo, Hayward, Califi; Thelma E. Laxo, executrix of said Ed Laxo, deceased, assiguor to Thelma E. Laxo Filed June 22, 1960, Ser. No. 37,954 7 Claims. (Cl. 72-401) This invention relates to a can body making machine. More particularly it relates to the side seam forming portion of a can body maker, wherein flat can body blanks are clamped to and folded about a forming horn or mandrel and hooks which have been preformed on the can body blanks are interlocked in readiness for forming side seams by the impact of a tool known as a bumper steel.

In the manufacture of cans it is customary to supply flat can body blanks to a side seam forming element which performs the function of converting the fiat blanks into tubular members which subsequently formthe bodies of finished cans. Can body blanks are supplied to the side seam forming element in flat condition but suitably notched and slit and also folded along two opposite edges to provide hooks. The hooks are interlocked and ham mered to form the side seam. The notches and slits make allowance for extra metal thickness at the ends of finished cans, such extra thickness being caused by the junction of can body side seams and end seams which join the covers to the bodies.

In a machine of this character it is important that the machine operate at high speed and it is also important that the machine operate dependently. For example, in a high speed side seam forming machine of this character operating at the rate of several hundred cans per minute, it is important that each can body blank, as it is supplied to the forming mandrel or horn, be firmly clamped in square position so that, when the body blank is wrapped around the forming horn or mandrel and the hooks are interlocked they will be precisely parallel to the axis of the forming horn and in precise registry with the bumper steel which hammers the interlocked hooks and flattens them to form the side seam. This requires that the clamping element be precisely timed and very effective in clamping the flat can body blanks to the forming horn or mandrel. There is a tendency for the body blanks to slip and rotate on the horn, in which case faulty side seams result.

It is also important, in a machine of this character, to have means whereby accurate timing can be carried out and it is advantageous if such timing can be accomplished without access to interior parts of the machine.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved can body making machine.

It is a further and particular object of the invention to provide a can body making machine including those elements which clamp a flat can body blank to and then fold it about a forming horn or mandrel to interlock the hooks, such machine being capable of operation at high speed with accuracy and dependability and which has features which facilitate timing and adjustment of the machine.

The above and other objects will be apparent from the ensuing description and the appended claims.

One form of the invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a view in end elevation of the machine with certain portions removed to reveal interior construction and with one cover of the housing removed entirely to reveal the mechanism within the gear case.

FIGURE 2 is a view in side elevation of the machine as seen along the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1. In this view all of the housing is removed except for those portions which provide the bearing support.

3,197,999 Patented Aug. 3, 1965 FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary View taken generally along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1 but with certain parts removed. Such view shows the mounting of one of the two crank discs which operate the wing clamps and of the single cam which operates the clamping steel which clamps can body blanks to the forming horn.

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view, taken generally along the staggered line 4-4 of FIGURE 1, of a portion of the linkage between the cam of FIGURE 3 and the clamping steel.

FIGURE 5 is a view in rear elevation, taken along the line 5--5 of FIGURE 3 of one of the crank discs.

Referring now to the drawings and preliminarily to FIGURE 1, the side seam forming element 10 of a can body maker is there illustrated. It comprises an arch 11 forming a part of the framework and which supports a gear case and housing 12 within which certain of the gears and certain of the other moving parts of the machine are located. The sprockets 14 and the lower part of the gear shown in FIGURE 1 run in a body of oil.

The machine is driven by a combination chain-andsprocket and gear drive which includes chains 13 which in turn are driven by a drive sprocket and drive shaft (not shown). The chains 13 aretightened by means of sprockets 14 which are mounted on a frame bracket 15.

Referring now more particularly to FIGURE 2, the sprockets 14, as stated, are carried by a frame bracket 15. More specifically, the sprockets 14 are mounted on a shaft 16 which is an eccentric extension of a shaft 17 which is rotatable in the bracket 15. The outer end of the shaft 17, which is to the left as viewed in FIGURE 2, is formed with a squared end 18 to receive a wrench. It will be apparent that, by rotating the squared end 18 the shaft 16 can be rotated about the axis of the shaft 17 to accomplish the tightening function. When the chains 13 have been'suitably tightened a set screw 19 is tightened to clamp the shaft 17 in place.

The chains 13 serve to drive sprockets on a shaft 24. To the left-hand end of shaft 24, as viewed in FIGURE 2, a drive gear 25 is fixed. As will be seen from an inspection of FIGURE 2, the shaft 24 is journaled in the rear wall of the housing 12 and in an intermediate wall 26 thereof. Referring to FIGURE 1, the gear 25 forms part of a gear train and it drives an intermediate or idler gear 27 which is mounted on a shaft 28 which is mounted in the housing 12. The idler gear 27 serves to drive a large gear 29a Which is fixed to a shaft 30a. The gear 29a meshes with and drives another similar, but oppositely rotating gear 2% which is fixed to a shaft 30b. The shafts 30a and 30b are journaled in the intermediate wall 26 of the housing 12.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 a forming horn 0r mandrel is provided at which is bolted to a frame member 35a. The horn 35 may be of conventional construction well known in the art. It requires no detailed description herein except to note that expandable cheeks 36 are provided and a longitudinal slot at 37 for passage of an extractor to extract formed can bodies from the horn.

As is well known in the art, flat can body blanks suitably notched and slit at their corners and formed with end hooks are delivered in rapid sequence to the forming horn 35. It is necessary, before a can body is formed, to fold the flat metal blank around the horn to form a tubular body and to interlock the books from which the side seam is formed.

For this purpose a pair of wing clamps 38a and 38b are provided which are pivoted at 39 on a frame bracket 39a as illustrated. Each of the wing clamps 38a and 38b is operated by means including a connector mechanism generally designated by the reference numeral 40. Since the two connector mechanisms 40 are identical only one .3 of'them (that which operates the wing clamp 38a) will be described in detail.

The connector mechanism 4% comprises a rod 41 pivotally connected to the respective wing clamp at 42 and slidable through an elongated nut 43 which is threaded into a tubular member 44. At its inner end the rod d1 has an enlarged head portion 45 which bears against an expansion spring 46 which is compressed between the upper end of the tube @4- and the head portion 45 of the rod 41. It will be apparent that, as each of the tubes 44 is recip'rocated, the respective wing clamp 38:: or 3% will also swing about its pivot point 39 between an open position (not shown) and the closed, clamping position shown in FIGURE 1. It will also be apparent that a resilient pressure is exerted on the can body blank after it has been folded about the forming horn 35, by reason of the sliding reception of the rod 41 in the tubular nut 43 and the pressure exerted by the spring 46 against the enlarged head 45.

Referring 'now more particularly to FIGURE 2, a clamping means generally designated as St) is provided for the purpose mentioned above; that is to clamp a body blank on the forming horn 35 so that, when the wing clamps 38a and 3 b move in to fold the body blank around the horn 35, the body blank will be clamped in proper position so that the body hooks will interlock properly to form a good side seam. The mechanism 59 may be of known type and does not require detailed description herein. It comprises a clamp shoe 51 which is carried by brackets 52 and is capable of limited movement in a vertical direction, and it also comprises a cooperating wedge member or steel 53- which is slidable within the shoe 51. The mating surfaces 54 and 55 of the steel 53 and shoe 51 have a slight (e.g., taper. The shoe 51 is held against longitudinal movement by its connection to the brackets 52. The steel 53 is held down by springs (not shown) in the brackets 52. Therefore, as the steel 53 is moved to the right (as viewed in FIG- URE 2) it will urge the shoe 51 more firmly against the horn 35, and as it moves to the left it will release clamping pressure to allow extraction of a formed can body and introduction of another flat body blank.

The left-hand end (as viewed in FIGURE 2) of the steel 53 is pivotally connected at 56 to a lever 57. The pivotal connection may include an elongated slot (not shown) to allow for the vertical component of movement of the lever 57, which swings in an arc. The manner in which the lever 57 is operated is described hereinafter.

Each of the wing clamp connector mechanisms 49 is driven by a crank disc 66 which is mounted and operated in the manner which will now be described with particular reference to FIGURE 3. As will be seen, each of the tubular members 44 terminates in a sleeve 62 which is rotatable on an inner sleeve 63 which is bolted to the rear face of the crank disc 60 by means including a cap screw 64 and a plate or washer 65. As will be seen, the inner sleeve 63 has a'flange 66 which abuts the rear face of the crank disc 69. The disc 69 is formed with T-slot 63 which extend diametrically across the crank disc titl as shown in FIGURE 5. 'The inner sleeve63 has an extension 69 which is seated in the key slot 68 to prevent rotation of the inner sleeve 63 relatively to the crank disc 6%. As will be seen from an inspection of HG- URES '3 and 5, an elongated, rectangular nut '79 is provided which is slidable in the T-slot 68 and into which is threaded the cap screw 64; As shown in FIGURE 5; a long cap screw '75 is provided which is threaded into the nut '70 transversely to the cap screw 64. The cap screw 75 is locked in a fixed position in the T-slot 68 by a block 76 clamped in one end of the T-slot by screws '77 and to which is fixed a collar '78 through which a set screw '79 is threaded. The inner end of the set screw 7? is received in an annular groove 86 formed in the elongated cap screw 75. Thus the cap screw 75 can be ro- .by removable closures (not shown).

tated, but it cannot be moved longitudinally in the T-slot es, and as it rotates it will move the nut 70, thereby varying the throw of the crank mechanism.

It will, therefore, be apparent that a very convenient means of adjusting the throw of the connector mechanisms 4%, hence the amplitude of the wing clamps 33a and 38b is provided.

Referring to FIGURE 3, the crank disc 60 is bolted by cap screws to a ring 86 which bears against the flange portion 87 of'a sleeve 38. The sleeve 88 is formed with longitudinal passages to receive long cap screws 89 which are countersunk in the flange 87. The cap screws 89 pass through the gear 2% and they are threaded into an enlarged shoulder portion or flange 99 of the shaft 301).

The shaft 3% has its forward end within a bushing 91 which is carried by the front gear case cover 32. To the shaft 301] is clamped a cam 93 having one or more sockets 94 for a purpose explained hereinafter. The cam 93 is clamped between a clamping member 95 and the flange 90. The member 95 is in effect another flange on the shaft 3% but it has a spline connection at 96 which permits axial movement thereof. The outer face of the member 95 bears against the inner end of a cap 97 which is rotatable in the bushing 91 and which is slidable on the end of shaft 3012. A cap screw 98 clamps the cap 97 to the shaft.

By this means it will be apparent that all of the parts shown in FIGURE 3, including the crank disc 60, the gear 2% and the cam 93 are clamped together on the shaft 3% sons to rotate together.

It will be understood that a crank disc 60 and the gear 2% are similarly mounted on the shaft 30a. However, there is no cam onshaft 30a corresponding to cam 93 on the shaft 3%.

The mounting means illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 5 described hereinabove, greatly facilitates timing and adjustment. Thus if it is desired to adjust the crank disc 6% for timing purposes, for example, to time the operation of the wing clamp 38b in relation to the other wing clamp 33a and/or in relation to other parts of the machine, such is very readily accomplished in the following manner: The cap screws 85 are loosened sufficiently to permit rotating the disc 60 relatively to the shaft 30b. Then the crank disc 6% or the shaft 305 is rotated while the other part (i.e., the shaft or the crank disc) is held stationary, until suitable adjustment has been made. Then the screws 85 are tightened to clamp the crank disc 60 in adjusted, suitably timed position. a

For timing the cam 93 (which, as described hereinafter, operates'the clamping mechanism 59 shown in FIG- URE 2) one or more access openings (not shown) are provided in the housing 11 which may be normally closed A closure is removed and a bar or rod isinserted to engage the socket 94 shown in FIGURE 3. The cam 93 is loosened by loosening the cap screw 98 which relieves clamping pressure on the member 95. The shaft 3% is rotated while the cam 93 is held stationary, until the desired relative angular position has been achieved. Then the cap screw 98 is tightened again to clamp the cam 93 in adjusted position. 7

Referring now to FIGURES 1, 2 and 4, the mechanism whereby the cam 93 operates the clamping mechanism 50 (which is best shown in FIGURE 2) will now be described. V

The cam 93 has. a cam groove within which is seated a cam follower roller 111 which is rotatably mounted on one end of a lever 112, the other end of which is clamped to a shaft 113 which extends through the front cover 92 of the housing '12. T o the outer end of the shaft 113 there is clamped a'collar 114 which is integral with a bifurcated member 115, the separate prongs of which carry set screws 116 which are locked in place by means of lock nuts 117. It is the function of the set screws 116 to bear'against opposite sides of a bracket 118 projecting outwardly from a lever 119. The lever 119 has a collar 120 which is mounted on the shaft 113. By loosening the connection between the collar 120 and the shaft 113 and adjusting the set screws 116, the relative angular positions of the lever 119 and the shaft 113 can be adjusted. When such adjustment has been made the lock nuts 117 will be tightened. If desired the collar 120 may be clamped more tightly to the shaft 113.

The right-hand end of the lever 119, as viewed in FIGURE 1, is bifurcated at 125 as best shown in FIG- URE 4. As best shown in FIGURE 1 the bifurcated end portion 125 forms part of a universal linkage 126 by means which the lever 119 is connected to one end of a link 127. At its other end, as best shown in FIG- URE 2, the link 127 is connected by a universal linkage 128 to one end of a lever 129. The other end of the lever 129 is clamped to a shaft 130 to which the lever 57 is connected.

It will be apparent that, by this means, the clamping mechanism 50 is operated and that by timing the cam 93 as described hereinabove, the operation of the clamping mechanism 50 can be synchronized with the operation of the wing clamps 38a and 38b and other parts of a can body making machine. I

It will, therefore, be apparent that a machine has been provided having several advantages. For example, some of the moving parts can run in oil. The clamping steel and the wing clamps can be very easily and very precisely timed. Timing does not require access to the interior of the machine.

I claim:

1. A mechanism of the character described comprising a frame, a shaft rotatable in said frame, a crank disc, means for connecting a rod eccentrically to said disc to cause reciprocation of said rod as the disc rotates, means for adjusting the radial position of said rod connecting means on said disc, and means for clamping said disc to said shaft comprising a separate clamping member and means for clamping said clamping member to said disc and to said shaft, said means for clamping being capable of loosening to permit rotation of said disc relatively to said shaft for timing adjustment and being capable of tightening after timing adjustment to clamp the disc to the shaft in adjusted position.

2. A mechanism of the character described comprising a frame, a shaft rotatable in said frame and having a radially projecting flange at one end, a crank disc, means for connecting a rod eccentrically to said disc to cause reciprocation of said rod as the disc rotates, means for adjusting the radial position of said rod connecting means on said disc, and means for clamping said disc to said shaft comprising a separate clamping member and means for clamping said clamping member to said disc and to said flange, said means for clamping being capable of loosening to permit rotation of said disc relatively to said shaft for timing adjustment and being capable of tightening after timing adjustment to'clamp the disc to the shaft in adjusted position.

3. A mechanism of the character described comprising a frame, a crank disc having radially adjustable means for connecting a rod thereto for reciprocation as said disc rotates, a shaft having an outwardly projecting flange spaced from an end thereof, a sleeve rotatable in said frame and mounting said shaft, said sleeve having an out- Wardly projecting flange at one end, a clamping ring engaging a face of said disc and a face of said flange and clamping means for clamping said ring to said faces, said clamping means being capable of loosening to permit rotation of said disc relatively to said shaft for timing adjustment and being capable of tightening after timing adjustment to clamp the disc to the shaft in adjusted position.

4. A can body forming machine of the character described comprising a frame, a forming horn mounted on said frame for supporting a can body blank in folded,

having a slot extending across a portion of one face, a

connector member slidable in said slot, means for connecting oneend of one of said rods to said connector member, means for mounting said connector member in said slot and means for clamping said connector member at any desired position in said slot, and separate clamping means permitting loosening the connection between the disc and its shaft to rotate the disc relatively to the shaft for 360 degrees timing adjustment and also permitting tightening to clamp the disc and shaft in adjusted position.

5. A can body forming machine of the character described comprising a frame, a forming horn mounted on said frame for supporting a can body blank in folded tubular shape, a clamping mechanism adapted to clamp a can body blank to said horn and said clamping mechanism comprising a reciprocable clamping member and means for operating said reciprocable clamping member comprising a shaft rotatable in said frame, a cam mounted on said shaft, a mechanical linkage operatively connecting said cam and said reciprocable clamping member to reciprocate the latter as the cam rotates and means for securing said cam to said shaft, said securing means comprising a sleeve rotatable in said frame, fitted slidably over an end of said shaft and having means bearing against said cam to clamp the same to said shaft, and screw means for moving said sleeve to clamp said cam to said shaft and to loosen said sleeve to permit adjustment of said cam on said shaft.

6. A can body forming machine of the character described comprising a frame, a forming horn mounted on said frame for supporting a can body blank in folded tubular shape, a clamping mechanism adapted to clamp a can body blank to said horn and said clamping mechanism comprising a reciprocable clamping member and means for operating said reciprocable clamping member comprising a shaft rotatable in said frame, a cam mounted on said shaft, a mechanical linkage operatively connecting said cam and said reciprocable clamping member to reciprocate the latter as the cam rotates and means for securing said cam to said shaft, said securing means comprising flange means on said shaft on opposite sides of said cam, one of said flange means being stationary in relation to said shaft and the other flange being movable axially on said shaft, toward and from said cam, a cap slidably mounted on an end of said shaft adjacent said axially movable flange and rotatably mounted in said frame and screw means operable to press said cap against said axially movable flange to clamp said cam to said shaft and operable also to loosen said cap to permit timing adjustment of said cam on said shaft.

7. A combined crank and cam drive of the character described comprising: A stationary frame and a shaft rotatable therein; a crank disc and a cam; means for clamping said disc to an end of said shaft comprising a flange fixed to one end of said shaft, a clamping ring and means for clamping said ring to said disc and flange, such means for clamping permitting loosening to rotate the disc relatively to the shaft for timing adjustment and tightening to clamp the disc to the shaft in adjusted position; and means for clamping said cam to said shaft comprising a first flange fixed to said shaft on one side of said cam and a second flange slidable on said shaft on the opposite side of said cam, a cap rotatable in said frame and slidable on one end of said shaft adjacent said second flange, and screw means for moving said cap on said shaft to tighten and 'loosen said cam on said s 2,277,519 3/42 Laxo '15332 shaft. 1 2,412,874 12/46 Crane et a1. 153-21 2,558,679 6/51 Gressel et a1 7454 References Cited by the Examlner 7 2,579,919 12/51 Funke 4" 153 21 UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 2,580,953 1/52 Pierce 7454 172,428 1/76 Haddock V 7460O r 215,435 5/79 Clark CHARLES W. LANHAM, Prlmnry Examzner.

' 1,430,743 10/22 Kruse 15 332 WHITMQRE A. WILTZ, Examiner. 

1. A MECHANISM OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED COMPRISING A FRAME, A SHAFT ROTATABLE IN SAID FRAME, A CRANK DISC, MEANS FOR CONNECTING A ROD ECCENTRICALLY TO SAID DISC TO CAUSE RECIPROCATION OF SAID ROD AS THE DISC ROTATES, MEANS FOR ADJUSTING THE RADIAL POSITION OF SAID ROD CONNECTING MEANS ON SAID DISC, AND MEANS FOR CLAMPING SAID DISC TO SAID SHAFT COMPRISING A SEPARATE CLAMPING MEMBER AND MEANS FOR CLAMPING SAID CLAMPING MEMBER TO SAID DISC AND TO SAID SHAFT, SAID MEANS FOR CLAMPING BEING CAPABLE OF LOOSENING TO PERMIT ROTATION OF SAID DISC RELATIVELY TO SAID SHAFT FOR TIMING ADJUSTMENT AND BEING CAPABLE OF TIGHTENING AFTER TIMING ADJUSTMENT TO CLAMP THE DISC TO THE SHAFT IN ADJUSTED POSITION. 